'28 Rankings Update: A Closer Look at Linebacker

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/how-latest-28-rankings-update-came-together/">How Latest '28 Rankings Update Came Together</a>   Prep Redzone Iowa dropped a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2028-rankings/">Class of 2028 rankings update</a> on Monday. The site dedicated itself to putting in the time as you can see by the number of student-athletes in there with evaluations attached to their profiles.   That's really the goal. We're trying to evaluate as many of you as possible in hopes of helping as Iowans receive exposure. By the way, that's another call for video highlights on your Hudl page (which we can then put in your Redzone profile). We need film to scout.   With that in mind, I'm adding evaluations in these positional breakdowns on guys we've not written about since before the season or not at all. It allows for highlighting more student-athletes while waiting on new film for players whose current film already has been evaluated. There also are reports generated from in-person scouting opportunities.   Here are '28 linebackers I found that needed an updated evaluation or one on their profile for the first time:    I last wrote about Pierson in June after watching highlights of him competing on the Bettendorf freshman team in 2024. I checked in to see how his sophomore season went and found a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20076856/691e6a90502c7bce3e08e1b5">highlight video</a>. It showed him operating as a sophomore on the varsity this past fall. During the campaign, Pierson contributed 16.5 tackles, 11 of which were solo stops. He also recorded 2.5 tackles for loss. His ninth-grade film featured him working on the offensive line and linebacker. The 10th-grade clips have him blocking as a tight end and being disruptive as a defensive lineman. That versatility and commitment to doing whatever the team needs stands out as a positive trait. So, too, does his embracing of the game's physicality no matter where he lines up. It's hard to say exactly where Pierson may fit on the next level, but that will work itself out. The skill and desire already are there.     On a veteran Regina team that reached the Class 1A state title game, Greve contributed where he could on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. I watched him compete in the Back2Ballin 7-on-7 tournament in Cedar Falls early last year and was impressed with his potential and versatility. I thought he could see the field for the Regals. He did that more on defense than offense, where he caught a pass and blocked for a potent attack with a lot of mouths to feed. Greve registered 11.5 tackles, seven of which were of the solo variety. He proved disruptive as evidenced by his 4.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and forced fumble. Greve looked the part during my in-person scouting opportunities this season. There's a clip on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18011571/68c82c662a48f2dfd6d8b2eb">Hudl page</a> of him sacking the Alburnett quarterback also providing evidence that he can diagnose plays, react quickly and possesses the physical traits for success on the second level of the defense.     Heller stands out for his athleticism on the football field and when competing in other sports. He's a key piece of the MOC-Floyd Valley varsity basketball team as a sophomore this winter. That's followed a 10th-grade campaign that saw him deliver on both sides of the ball for the Dutchmen. He rushed for 111 yards (10.1 YPC) and a touchdown, and caught 13 balls for 149 yards and two scores. Thirty seven of his 42.5 tackles were solo stops. He posted three tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. Heller's Hudl page houses a limited amount of football and basketball highlights from this school year. In pads, we witness him gashing defenses as a wildcat quarterback and deep receiver. On defense, his positional flexibility and speed provide potential to line up in multiple spots on the next level.     I've been trying to track down video of this kid throughout the season. It ain't easy. I finally <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr9fuV8g-58">located game film</a> from a matchup with Dubuque Senior from this past fall. It takes skimming through for his plays, but at least it's something. The numbers he put up on both sides of the ball as a sophomore on a 5A playoff team got me interested. Holmes rushed for 144 yards (6.0 YPC) and two touchdowns. He totaled 58.0 tackles, 49 of which were solo stops, and added a tackle for loss. Holmes does not look like a freshman, either in style of play or physicality, when watching what we can find. He runs well sideline to sideline and in a straight line, keeping the play in front of him. Holmes packs a punch upon arrival at the football and also does well sticking with receivers in coverage. I would welcome a highlight video of this kid.     We last wrote about Lensch before the season, so an update from his sophomore campaign is in order for our No. 4-ranked linebacker in the 2028 Class. He collected 15.0 tackles, eight of which were solo, and added 1.5 tackles for loss. As much as I enjoyed watching Lensch's freshman highlights and writing the evaluation, it was great to see improvements when viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23207629/6908cbbe0c02cc788e72724f">sophomore clips</a>. Lensch is a good athlete with long arms and a frame that can comfortable take on good weight. Adding strength to his speed and agility furnishes Lensch with a high ceiling with that being a more likely outcome working with a program that's among the state's best in developing talent for the next level. Lensch is sound against the run and can stick with pass-catchers in coverage. He looks like an outside backer or a hybrid in college at this point.     We last wrote about Powles for the previous '28 Class update back in June. That means we need to catch up on what went down with him during his sophomore season in the fall. Fortunately, he provides us with that ability by housing a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22832527/6914e4141e1123ac2b9f6e98">10th-grade highlight video</a> on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22832527/6914e4141e1123ac2b9f6e98">Hudl page</a>. There we can witness how he came about piling up 51.5 tackles, 37 of which were solo stops. Powles was credited with 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. He forced two fumbles and recovered a pair of fumbles. He even averaged 11.5 yards on two kick returns. Linebacker is his spot. Powles gathers information before the snap and diagnoses plays quickly. He flies to the football, avoiding blocks or separating from them quickly if he gets tied up. Added weight and strength on a projectable frame will help, but the foundation is formed for a bright future.

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